Southampton, though, are no strangers to their top talent being monitored – indeed, if anything there is no club in England more versed. They have sold the likes of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and Morgan Schneiderlin in recent seasons – but all were sold at their behest.

And there is no likelihood of them entertaining any interest in Ward-Prowse at this junction as the player is firmly tied into a contract until 2020.

Graeme Bailey

Graeme is a freelance football writer who is a proud Teessider and Yorkshireman with a love of his family, football, golf and speedway. He specialises in transfer stories and over the years has broken a number of big stories and scoops.